Cricket: Vincent on charge in fightback

Canterbury have a fight on their hands to secure first-innings points over Auckland in their domestic match in Christchurch today.

After resuming their first innings yesterday at 352 for six, Canterbury were dismissed after lunch for 443, losing their last four wickets for 24 runs.

At stumps Auckland were 213 for three, with Lou Vincent unbeaten on 115 and Rob Nicol providing valuable support on 25.

If Vincent, who belted 20 boundaries as he raced to his century, continues his irrepressible form, spectators should be in for a batting treat.

Like last week, when Canterbury beat Northern Districts outright, the lifeless Hagley Oval pitch provided little sideways movement for the seam bowlers.

Canterbury captain Chris Harris scored 103 from 201 balls after resuming yesterday morning on 61 with Paul Wiseman on 23.

Auckland's attack was severely depleted after pace bowler Kerry Walmsley had his first ball of the day no-balled for a dangerous full toss at Harris and was told he could not bowl again for the innings.

Wiseman and Harris continued their handy partnership until Wiseman was caught for 44 by Brooke Walker off medium pacer Aaron Barnes, who finished the innings with career best figures of four for 55.

Canterbury legspinner Aaron Redmond took all three of Auckland's scalps, giving up 56 runs from his 15 overs.

Tim McIntosh was the first to go for 18 with the score on 50, followed by Mark Richardson for 41 and Matthew Horne for two.

Harris also used Redmond for several spells during the day, mostly in tandem with fellow spinner Wiseman, who rolled down 10 overs for 31 without success.

He was taken out of the attack after Vincent hit three consecutive fours off one over.

* Northern Districts' batsmen have the chance to silence their critics by pulling off a win over Wellington.

The team's horror batting season continued at Hamilton's Westpac Park yesterday when they were bundled out for 125 to meekly concede first-innings points.

But in a superb spell late in the day, left-arm spinner Bruce Martin grabbed four wickets to leave Wellington staggering at 115 for seven in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 240.

Earlier, chasing Wellington's first innings of 250, it appeared to be a case of another day, another Northern collapse.

By drinks at the end of the first hour, the home side were reeling at 36 for six.

* Former international Mark Greatbatch made a surprise appearance to help out a virus-stricken Central Districts in their match against Otago at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth.

Greatbatch took a catch to help dismiss Otago for 209 in reply to Central's first innings of 350.

Captain Glen Sulzberger was sent to hospital for tests for the virus which forced two other players from the field at different times.

Greatbatch was stretched to find replacements and took the field for the second session of the day's play.

Otago also had a player laid low, with allrounder Warren McSkimming suffering from an abdominal muscle strain.

He did not bat in the middle order as planned, but came out at No 11 with a runner.

Central finished the day at one without loss in their second innings, with opener Jamie How hoping to emulate his first-innings contribution of 169.

- NZPA